Brazilian Dog Goes Viral for His Skills at Footvolley, a Hybrid of Beach Volleyball and Soccer

Mar. 15, 2025

Floki the dog playing footvolley.Photo:AP Photo/Bruna Prado

AP Photo/Bruna Prado

This dog is barking good at footvolley.

A Brazilian Border Collie named Floki has gone viral for his incredible athletic skills while playing footvolley, which is part soccer, part volleyball.

According to theAssociated Press, Floki has attracted crowds in Brazil where he tirelessly plays the sport, chasing after the ball and hitting it over the net for hours.

Gustavo Rodrigues, who is Floki’s owner, happens to be a footvolley coach. Rodrigues noticed the border collie’s energy — and potential for footvolley — when hechased and leaped after balloons at only two months.

Floki then participated in an “altinha,” where a soccer ball is kept in the air between those in the circle. Now 3 years old, the pup has taken over the internet as a footvolley star.

A footvolley match in 2018.PASCAL POCHARD-CASABIANCA/AFP via Getty

PASCAL POCHARD-CASABIANCA/AFP via Getty

The skill lends itself well to the hybrid sport, which involves the same rules as beach volleyball but uses a shorter net. It also takes from soccer where players cannot use their hands and arms.

On any typical weekend, Floki and Rodrigues can participate in beach matches — with crowds of people watching. “It generates talk, and people make fun,” Rodrigues told the AP of Floki’s skills. “No one likes to lose a point to him, so people play their hearts out against us.”

Floki’s focus, speed and dexterity are important skills on the footvolley court. According to theAmerican Kennel Club, Border Collies are extremely smart and the breed has broken records for intelligence and other skills, so it’s no surprise how Floki picked up the game.

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The border collie also seems to have some strategy down. “He does things that even some professionals don’t — like positioning on the court,” Rodrigues also explained.

“Sometimes the ball goes from one side (of the court) to the other, and he doesn’t keep his back turned to it. He turns toward the ball to always hit it straight on.”

When Floki and Rodrigues play footvolley together, the AP notes that the dog barks at his owner to pass the ball. When they score a point, Floki sometimes leaps into Rodrigues' arms. Other times, he gets a high-five.

Floki the dog.AP Photo/Bruna Prado

As of publishing, Floki has over 415,000 followers onInstagram— and its clear why he has such a large fandom.In one videofrom March, the pup bounces a soccer ball back and forth with his snout to Rodrigues.

Another clip from Decembershows Floki in action on the beach, participating in a game of footvolley. At one point, Rodrigues and Floki score a point, and the dog gives his owner a high-five in celebration.

Floki plays footvolley.AP Photo/Bruna Prado

source: people.com